Forum Discussion
DrewE
Jun 07, 2018Explorer II
I don't doubt that it's a decent system, albeit not an inexpensive proposition. There's nothing especially revolutionary about it, though it is a nice step towards some more modern systems.
There's also a fairly thick layer of hype. Perhaps the worse is the idea that you're replacing a generator (an engine connected to an alternator) with an auxiliary alternator connected to your main engine. I'm not sure how that's anything other than a generator, and potentially a less efficient one than a separate dedicated unit...though less space and weight and presumably less maintenance as you need the main engine anyhow for propulsion.
For what it's worth, in moderate weather (when I don't need the furnace), I can boondock for about a week with just a lead acid battery and no solar and only moderate conservation over what I would normally do. An absorption fridge running on propane is not a huge electrical power consumer, and heating tea water on the range rather than with a microwave is entirely practical...and what I do most of the time, boondocking or not.
There's also a fairly thick layer of hype. Perhaps the worse is the idea that you're replacing a generator (an engine connected to an alternator) with an auxiliary alternator connected to your main engine. I'm not sure how that's anything other than a generator, and potentially a less efficient one than a separate dedicated unit...though less space and weight and presumably less maintenance as you need the main engine anyhow for propulsion.
For what it's worth, in moderate weather (when I don't need the furnace), I can boondock for about a week with just a lead acid battery and no solar and only moderate conservation over what I would normally do. An absorption fridge running on propane is not a huge electrical power consumer, and heating tea water on the range rather than with a microwave is entirely practical...and what I do most of the time, boondocking or not.
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